Studies Show Kids Aren’t Playing Enough (and Here’s What You Can Do About It)

It probably doesn’t come as a big surprise that kids are spending more time playing on screens than on playgrounds, but according to a new survey kids across the country are facing a major deficit in play time. The good news is, there are a few easy ways you can entice your kids away from their tablets and back outside this summer.

A recent survey commissioned by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group uncovered some startling statistics about how kids spend their free time. The ten-minute online survey of over 1,000 tweens and parents of kids ages 5-17 found that:

81% of kids consider gaming as part of playtime

71% of tweens said they would rather play with a new tablet than sports equipment

72% of tweens were less likely to go bike riding than stay inside and watch TV

83% of tweens said they would choose more screen time instead of being with friends

It’s not all bad news, however. 65% of tweens said they wished they could spend more time playing with their families, and place time with their family as their number one priority. In other words, kids can be coaxed into shoving aside the screens for play with some good old fashioned family bonding time. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s Let’s Play initiative offers ideas and activities on getting kids and families moving and playing more.